Technical-Economic Council Approves Feasibility Study for Moțca – Lețcani – Ungheni Section of A8 Motorway

The Technical-Economic Council (CTE) of the National Company for Road Infrastructure Administration (CNAIR) granted a favorable opinion on Wednesday, August 14, for the Feasibility Study (FS) of the Moțca – Lețcani – Ungheni section of the A8 Motorway, also known as the Moldova Motorway

This crucial step marks the beginning of the implementation phase for this major road infrastructure project.

According to Cătălin Urtoi, a member of the Board of Directors (CA) of the National Company for Road Investments (CNIR), the next steps for the project are critical. Following the approval of the Feasibility Study by the CTE and the issuance of the Environmental Agreement (EA), the next step will be the approval of the technical-economic indicators through a Government Decision (GD). Once approved, the project will be transferred from CNAIR to CNIR, and subsequently, tenders for design and execution (P+E) will be launched in phases.

Funding for this section will be provided by the European Commission’s Transport Program (PT) 2021-2027 budget, with the possibility of phasing after 2028 under the new Post PT 2028-2034 program. The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has proposed a financing strategy based on motorway lots. This proposal is currently under discussion with CNAIR and CNIR, and a final decision will be announced in the near future.

The total estimated cost for this section is 5 billion euros. This amount includes a 25% implementation reserve based on initial cost estimates, in accordance with legal requirements. Cătălin Urtoi explained that this reserve will be allocated progressively during the contract execution as contractors justify their expenses, with the approval of the European Commission, to prevent the blockage of funds.

The Moțca-Lețcani-Ungheni section will traverse Iași County and include Administrative Territorial Units (ATUs) such as Aroneanu, Bălțați, Costești, Dumești, Erbiceni, Golăiești, Heleșteni, Ion Neculce, Lețcani, Miroslava, Miroslovești, Moțca, Pașcani, Podu Iloaiei, Popricani, Rediu, Ruginoasa, Stolniceni-Prăjescu, Târgu Frumos, Ungheni, and Victoria. The technical project includes several connection nodes, such as two nodes at Moțca-Pașcani and one on the A7 (Moldova Motorway), as well as similar objectives at Târgu Frumos, Podu Iloaiei, and Dumești–Lețcani.